| How to Take Better Photographs Posted: 16 Feb 2021 04:00 PM PST Some people think that great photography requires an expensive camera, but don't worry—good technique is much more important than costly equipment. Brushing up on your basic photography skills is beneficial no matter what camera you're working with, and you don't even need to memorize all the fancy lingo to get started. As you practice, try to take as many photos as possible so you have a few options to choose from when you're done. And above all, try to have fun as you mess around with your camera to take fun, fresh pictures! [Edit]Good Photography Basics - Choose a focus for your photo. It is important to have a central focus for your photo so your audience knows what to look at. This item or person should be at the center of the photograph or highlighted in some other way so that they stand out. You can take this literally and use an actual framing object, or you can manipulate your shot in some way instead.[1]
- For example, you might use an archway or window as a frame for your subject. Taking the photo so that the subject is within the archway or window, either in the foreground or background, will help to place emphasis on this subject.
- You can also use people as a frame. Once you've picked your central focus, frame your shot so that the subject is surrounded by people from all sides.
- You can also emphasize your focus by using the rule of thirds. This is when you divide your shot into 3 vertical sections and 3 horizontal sections and then take the shot with your focal point in the center of this grid. It's both pleasing to the eye and easy to incorporate into your technique.
- Change up your lighting. Identifying where your light is coming from is an important part of ensuring the best lighting for your subject, because the light needs to be on your subject to illuminate it properly. Before you take a photo, take a moment to look around you and determine which direction the light is coming from, then adjust your shot if you need to.[2]
- For example, if you are outdoors, figure out where the sun is and observe how it is casting light on your subject. Consider what angle might be the most flattering or interesting for photographing your subject.
- Avoid taking pictures with the light source directly behind you. This can make your photos look somewhat boring and flat. Instead, always try to position yourself so that you are shooting your subject at an angle relative to the light.
- Eradicate red eye by turning off your flash. Red eye is caused by the camera's flash reflecting off of the subject's retinas, and it usually happens when you are taking photos in low light.[3] To avoid getting a red eye effect, you can try:
- Turning on more lights.
- Telling your subjects to look away from the camera.
- Turning on the red-eye function. Most digital cameras and newer smartphones have this feature and it can help to prevent red-eye shots using editing software after the fact.
- Make your shot multi-dimensional with foreground and background items. If you want your subject to seem small, then you might place something in the foreground of the shot. If you want your subject to look large, then you might place something in the background. If there isn't any dimension in your photos, they could look a little flat.[4]
- For example, you might take a picture of someone standing on a beach, but photograph the person from far away with a seashell in the foreground. Or, you might photograph the person from a closer vantage point, but capture a seemingly endless white beach in the background.
- Get up close and personal to zoom in on your subject. Sometimes photos do not look as good as they could because you are too far away from your subject. If you notice that the details of your subject are hard to make out, then try moving a little closer until you like how the photo looks.[5]
- For example, if you took your first shot while standing away, then take the next one from away. Keep checking your shots and adjusting your distance until you have captured the desired amount of detail in your shot.
[Edit]Photography Techniques for Social Media - Look natural by keeping the flash off. Although a flash can be helpful in super dark photos, most of the time it will make your photography subject look washed out. If you can avoid it, try to keep the flash off when you take your pictures to make them look better when you upload them to social media.[6]
- The flash can also bounce off of certain types of makeup, making a strange shimmer effect that doesn't look very natural.
- Natural light is the best light source, especially for phone cameras, to make you or your subject look flattering.
- Avoid cluttered photos by removing unnecessary objects. Since most people look at social media on their phone, uploading a cluttered photo can be hard to take in on such a tiny screen. Try to keep the focus of the shot to one subject so that your followers can easily make out what you're trying to draw attention to.[7]
- For example, if you're taking a nature shot, choose one mountain or plant to be the focal point.
- Or, if you're taking a selfie, stand in front of a solid-colored background.
- When you take photos of other people, try to blur the background so the person in the foreground stands out. If you're using a smartphone, try switching to "Portrait Mode" to do this automatically.
- Lengthen your legs in full-body shots to look taller. If you're taking a picture of your outfit, shift your weight onto one leg and extend your other leg out in front of you. Point your toe slightly to elongate your body and make yourself look taller in your photos.[8]
- Shifting your weight to your back foot will bring the majority of your body back and away from the camera while extending your front leg towards the foreground. This gives the illusion of height and length in your body, while still looking natural.
- This can feel funny at first, so try practicing it in the mirror a few times before you use it in a photo.
- Use natural lighting to get an effortless, glowing selfie. When you're searching for a place to take the perfect selfie, try standing in front of a window or going outside for the best lighting. If it's nighttime or gloomy out, try pointing a yellow-toned light (not fluorescent!) at the ceiling and standing near it. This natural light will bring out your best features and make your skin glow.[9]
- If you can, try taking pictures during "golden hour," or when the sun starts to set.
- Try taking a couple selfies in a row so you have a few to choose from when it comes time to upload them.
- Crop your photos to upload them on Instagram. When you upload a picture to Instagram, use the "crop" feature on the Instagram tools to make your photo smaller so it doesn't take up the whole frame. Doing this can create a more interesting picture and it will provide some variation in your feed.[10]
- Instagram is one of the most popular social media sites for photos. Thinking about how your pictures look on this particular social media platform can be helpful in gaining followers, website clicks, and sales.
- Keep the filters and photo editing to a minimum. Too many filters can degrade the quality of your photo, and it can make your pictures look a little less natural. Try to use the least amount of filters possible, especially when you take photos of yourself or other people.[11]
- It's always better to take a quality photo in the beginning so you don't have to do as much editing later on.
- If you would like to add a filter, try using FaceTune, AfterLight, or the filtering effects on Instagram.
[Edit]Taking Good Product Photographs - Set your camera to a high resolution. The resolution of your camera affects the detail and the quality of the image. The higher the resolution, the better the photo will look on screens both big and small. Go into your camera settings and set the resolution to "high" so your photos come out looking great.[12]
- You can always lower the resolution after you take the photo if you need the file to be smaller, but you can't increase the resolution later.
- Pick a simple background that isn't too distracting. A background that's too wild can detract from your product and be distracting. Try to choose a background that's one solid color and doesn't have a lot of details so your product stands out.[13]
- You could use poster paper, a wooden table, a solid-colored rug, a solid-colored sweater, or even a solid-colored wall.
- Make your product the star of the show. Although it's fine to add in props and background pieces, too much clutter in the frame can be confusing. If you're going to add props, keep them small or simple so they don't overpower your product. When in doubt, use a clean, simple background with good lighting.[14]
- White poster paper can make a good background in a pinch.
- Too many props can make the customer uncertain as to what item you're actually selling.
- Photograph the product from all angles. No matter what you're selling, giving your consumers the full picture is an important part of happy, returning customers. Make sure you get the front, back, and sides of your product so there aren't any surprises when your customer opens up their package.[15]
- Even if you're selling an item with a back that will be hidden, you should give your customers an idea of what it will look like.
- Focus the frame on your product to really emphasize it. If your item is too small or too far away, it can be hard to make out the details and it won't be as striking. Try to fill up your camera's frame with your product so that it's visible and there isn't any room for question about what you're selling.[16]
- If you need to, you can crop your photos after you take them so your item fills the frame.
- Use another object for a size comparison. It doesn't have to be an obvious placement, but try to take at least 1 photo of your product next to something else so that customers can get a sense of how large it is. You can use flowers, a book, a piece of furniture, or even a doorway to show, without words, how large the item is.[17]
- For example, if you're photographing jewelry, try sprinkling some rose petals in the shot.
- Or, if you're selling a blanket, drape it over the back of a couch.
- For wall art, try hanging it on the wall next to framed photographs or posters.
[Edit]Adjusting Your Camera's Settings - Use your camera's automatic modes to easily get the settings you want. Most digital cameras and smartphones have an easy automatic mode that will change your camera's settings based on the type of subject you are photographing. For example, the camera may detect that you are taking a portrait of someone in low light and adjust the settings to get the best image. Try using your camera's automatic setting to make it easier to take better photos.[18]
- If your photos come out poorly focused or poorly exposed, then start operating certain functions manually.
- On smartphones, you can leave the HDR, or high dynamic range, on auto as well. This will adjust your photos in real time for the best exposure and lighting.
- Tap and hold to lock your smartphone camera's focus. If you're taking a picture of a subject and the focus keeps switching to the background, hold your finger on the camera screen and press down on what you're trying to photograph. This will "lock" the focus in place so that you can move your camera around while still keeping your subject in focus.[19]
- Some older smartphone models may not have this option, so you can play around with your camera and figure out what options you do have.
- Switch to a telephoto lens if your smartphone has one. Some newer smartphone models have 2 cameras: a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens. If you'd like to zoom in on a subject or tighten up your frame without moving your camera, tap on the "1x" button and switch it to "2x." This will switch your camera into the telephoto lens mode, and you'll look like you're only a few steps away from whatever you're photographing. To switch back to a wide lens, just click on "2x" again and switch it to "1x."[20]
- This lens is perfect for photographing wildlife, since you can get up close without having to be physically near your subject.
- Steady your camera with a tripod to create sharper images. If you have a hard time keeping your camera steady enough to photograph your subjects, then you might find it helpful to get a tripod. A tripod will keep your camera steady while still allowing you to adjust it to different angles.[21]
- You might consider getting a low-cost tripod to start out with. You can also get mini-tripods that adjust so that you can place them on table tops and photograph from lower angles.
- If you take a lot of selfies, consider getting a selfie stick.
- Don't be afraid of taking too many pictures. Take pictures until you feel like you got the best shot possible!
- Get your photos off your memory card as soon as possible and back up your work.
- Keep a notebook handy and make notes about what worked well and what did not. Review your notes often as you practice.
[Edit]Warnings - Ask for permission when taking photos of people, their pets, or their property.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Eat a Healthy Heart Diet Posted: 16 Feb 2021 08:00 AM PST The food you eat has a huge impact on your health, especially your heart health.[1] Luckily, it's never too early or too late to make some positive changes and switch to a heart-healthy diet. It's completely normal if you don't know exactly where to start. After all, there are just so many food choices! But don't worry—you can make all the right decisions with just a little bit of planning. After that, you'll be well on your way to improved heart health. [Edit]Foods to Include - Eat 7 servings of fruit and vegetables each day. Plant-based diets are much better for your heart and health overall. Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Ideally, include at least 7 servings of fruit and vegetables each day to support your heart. These can be side dishes, snacks, or whole meals, as long as you're eating plenty of plants![2]
- Include 1-2 servings of fruits and vegetables in each of your meals throughout the day for an easy boost.
- Try replacing some of your daily snacks with some sliced vegetables or dried fruit. This is an easy way to cut calories and get more plants in your diet.
- Canned and frozen vegetables are just as healthy as fresh ones! Just be sure to drain and rinse canned veggies to get rid of excess salt.[3]
- Get your protein from lean meats and plants. Poultry, fish, nuts, legumes, beans, dairy products, and eggs are all excellent choices for your protein. They're also low in calories, salt, and saturated fat than other protein sources, which is much better for your heart health.[4]
- You can even have high-protein meals that are completely meat-free! Beans, lentils, chickpeas, and green peas are all packed with protein, and you can use them as a base for a vegetarian meal.[5]
- Meat replacement products like tofu or soy also give you a nice dose of plant protein.
- The general protein recommendation is 0.8 g of protein per of your body weight each day. That means a person weighing needs about 55 g of protein each day.[6]
- Have 2 servings of fish each week. Fish is high in omega-3s, which help boost your heart health. It's also packed with protein. Include 2 servings of fish per week to round out your heart-healthy diet.[7]
- Oily fish is best for supporting your heart. Salmon, trout, tuna, sardines, mackerel, and herring are all great choices.
- Switch to low-fat dairy products. Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese are very healthy, but they can also be high in fat. More fat in your diet adds more calories, and fat can also clog your arteries and harm your heart. Avoid eating too much fat by choosing low-fat products instead.[8]
- You can make these changes gradually. Switch from whole milk to 1%, then drop down to skim.
- If you eat yogurt, check the sugar content. Some pre-packed yogurt is pretty high in sugars, even if it's low-fat.[9]
- Choose whole-grain breads and cereals. Whole grains and wheat help keep your blood pressure down and control your blood sugar. They are also great sources of fiber and minerals and low in enriched flour, unlike white varieties. If you normally have white bread and cereal, switch to whole grain types instead for an added health boost.[10]
- You could have more grain products like quinoa, oats, or barley as well. Quinoa makes a great side dish or meal base.
- Also switch to brown rice if you usually eat white. This gives you an added serving of whole grains.
- Get plenty of healthy fats from nuts and seeds. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are much better for your health than trans or saturated fats. Good sources for these healthy fats include all kinds of nuts, nut butter, and flaxseeds. Snack on these or include them in your meals for a healthy fat boost.[11]
- Other sources of healthy fats include avocados, olives, canola oil, fish, and soy.
- Remember that all fat is high in calories, even healthy types. The official recommendation is to get no more than 25-35% of your daily calories from fat, or about 80 g in a 2,000-calorie diet.[12]
- Include at least 25 g of fiber each day. Fiber isn't just for your digestion. It reduces your cholesterol and blood sugar, which is good for your cardiovascular health. The recommended dose is about 25 g per day, so include plenty of fiber-rich foods in your diet each day.[13]
- Good, high-fiber foods include whole grains, leafy green vegetables, fruit with the skin on, beans, and nuts.
- You can also boost your fiber with dietary supplements.
- Treat yourself with some dark chocolate. Your heart-healthy diet doesn't have to be boring! Dark chocolate makes a great dessert, and it's also pretty good for your heart. As the cocoa percentage goes up, the protein level rises and the sugar level drops. Make this a part of your diet if you need a treat.[14]
- If you're not used to dark chocolate, start by having 70% cocoa dark chocolate. Then work your way up for healthier chocolate.
- This doesn't mean you should eat tons of dark chocolate. It's still high in calories and could have a lot of added sugar. Only have about at a time.[15]
[Edit]Foods to Limit - Avoid fried, processed, or pre-packaged food. These tend to be very high in salt, saturated fat, and chemicals that could be bad for your heart.[16] Avoid these items as much as you can and prepare your food fresh as often as possible.[17]
- Frozen dinners and snacks are a big part of this category. Skip the frozen pizza rolls and TV dinners.
- Most fast food also falls into this category, so try to avoid this as much as possible.
- This also includes cured meats like prosciutto, which are very salty and fatty.
- Eliminate sources of saturated and trans fat. A high-fat diet sets you up for heart disease, clogged arteries, and high blood pressure. Saturated and trans fats are particularly unhealthy, so it's best to cut as much out of your regular diet as possible.[18]
- In general, saturated fat should make up no more than 5-6% of your daily calories, or about 11-13 g in a 2,000-calorie diet. Avoid trans fat altogether, since none at all is the healthiest choice.
- Sources of saturated and trans fats include butter, lard, bacon grease, cured meat, creamy sauces, full-fat dairy products, and non-dairy creamers.
- Eat no more than 2,300 mg of salt per day. Salt raises your blood pressure and sets you up for heart problems later on. The American Heart Association recommends having no more than 2,300 mg, or about 1 tsp, per day. Reduce your intake by avoiding salty foods and cooking without salt.[19]
- Always check the nutrition labels on foods you buy to see how much salt is in them. Avoid items that are particularly salty.
- Even if you can't get your salt intake below 2,300 mg, any reductions are still good changes.
- If you have heart problems, your doctor might recommend cutting your salt down to 1,500 mg per day.
- Cut out sugary foods and drinks.[20] A lot of added sugars can also set your up for heart issues. These are empty calories that can make you gain weight. Avoid sugary desserts and drinks like soda. Also be careful with how much sugar you add to your coffee and tea. This adds up quickly.[21]
- The American Heart Association recommends having no more than 25-36 g of added sugars per day.[22]
- Like with salt, always check nutrition labels on food you're buying. You might be surprised about how much sugar is in some food!
- Added sugars are different from natural sugars, like the ones in fruit. You don't have to limit natural sugars.
- Limit red meat to 1 meal per week. Red meat is a source of protein, but it's also high in saturated fat.[23] If you regularly eat red meat, cut down and limit yourself to 1 serving per week.[24]
- If you do eat red meat, get the leanest cuts you can find to reduce the amount of fat you're eating.
- Go easy on the condiments. Ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise add a lot of extra salt, fat, and calories to your meals. It's also easy to go overboard and add way too much. Cut back on using condiments or avoid them altogether.[25]
- Try measuring out condiments with a spoon instead of pouring them right onto your food. This helps you keep your portions under control.
[Edit]Healthy Cooking and Portioning - Cook with vegetable oils instead of butter or lard. This removes a lot of salt, saturated fat, and calories from your cooking. Replace these with olive or canola oils instead.[26]
- Vegetable oils still have fat too, so keep the portion under control. Only use enough to grease the pan or baking sheet.
- Add herbs and spices to your food instead of salt. Avoiding salt doesn't mean your food has to be bland! There's a whole world of spices out there that you can use. Experiment a little and find new seasonings for your food. You might just come across a new flavor that you love.[27]
- Some good options include thyme, basil, sage, red pepper, cayenne, chili powder, and bay leaves.
- Remove the skin from poultry and fish before cooking it. While these lean proteins are overall healthy, the skin on fish and poultry is high in saturated fat. Peel this off before cooking so none of that fat ends up in your meal.[28]
- The one exception is if you're roasting poultry. Then cook it with the skin on and remove it before serving so the meat doesn't dry out.[29]
- Trim away any fat on meats before cooking them. Even lean meats can still have some fat. Use a sharp knife and cut away any white spots on the meat to get rid of excess fat before cooking.[30]
- This is an especially good trick to remove fat from red meat.
- Stop eating when you feel full. Even if you follow a healthy diet, overeating adds more calories to your diet than you can burn off. This leads you to gain weight and could set you up for heart disease. Once you're feeling satisfied, stop eating, even if the meal is delicious. This way, you'll avoid overeating and taking in too many calories.[31]
- Eating slowly helps prevent you from overeating because you'll feel full sooner. Try taking a bite, chewing it completely, and waiting until you've swallowed to pick up another bite.
- For a little trick to control your portion sizes, try using smaller plates and bowls. That way, you'll be less tempted to load up your plate and eat too fast.
- In most restaurants, you'll get a much bigger serving than you need. Don't be afraid to get a doggy bag and bring your leftovers home for later.
- Following a healthy diet is important, but other lifestyle changes like exercising regularly and quitting smoking are also key steps to promoting your heart health.
- If you have any more questions about your diet, don't hesitate to ask your doctor for advice.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Organize by Color Posted: 16 Feb 2021 12:00 AM PST If your closet's looking a little messy or your keys are constantly mixed up, you may be searching for a fun organization tool. Arranging things by color is not only pleasing to the eye, it can help you keep track of important documents and to-do lists, too. Spend an afternoon arranging anything and everything by color to organize your life and make your home beautiful. [Edit]Keep your closet organized in a fun rainbow. - You'll never have to search for the perfect top again. Spend an afternoon sorting your clothes from lightest to darkest, starting with white and going across the color wheel into black.[1]
- You can also use this opportunity to get rid of any clothes you don't wear anymore.
- Remember, a rainbow is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. If you don't have all these colors or shades, that's okay!
- If it's easier for you, try sorting your clothes by type first, then color. For instance, you might group all of your pants together, all of your long-sleeved shirts, short sleeves, tank tops, and so on. Then, sort those by color—either in a rainbow, from dark to light, or from light to dark![2]
[Edit]Separate your shoes by color for easy outfit pairing. - It's easy to find the perfect pair of shoes when they're arranged by color. Organize your shoes in a shoe holder or a cubby, and group them together in the same colors.[3]
- If you're feeling extra crafty, paint each cubby in the colors of the rainbow. That way, your shoe groupings will be even easier to spot.
[Edit]Paint your keys different colors to differentiate them. - If you spend minutes hunting for the right key, this trick is for you. Use a few different colors of nail polish to paint the tops of your keys and color code them for future use.[4]
- For example, you could paint your house key yellow, your office key red, and your friend's house key blue.
- If you don't have nail polish around, use a permanent marker instead.
[Edit]Make your bookshelf a statement piece by organizing by color. - The rainbow organization is sure to catch people's attention. Head to your bookshelf and group your books by color. Arrange the colors in a rainbow pattern for a fun gradient that will turn heads.[5]
- You might not be able to make a full rainbow out of books, but that's okay! Just work with the colors you do have.
[Edit]Create a color-coded system for your kid's toys. - Hunting for the right LEGO or wooden block can be a pain. Save your child the trouble by grouping their toys in plastic bins. Make each bin a separate color for easy access and cleanup.[6]
- You can make it a fun way for your kid to learn colors, too! During cleanup time, ask them to put every toy away in the right bin.
[Edit]Keep track of appointments with a color-coded calendar. - You'll never be late to anything again! Assign every member of your family a certain color, then use sticky notes in their color to write down important dates. Stick those notes to a large calendar where everyone can see them.[7]
- For extra fun, let your kids choose their own colors.
- If a traditional calendar isn't for you, try using a whiteboard instead.
[Edit]Find paperwork right away with color-coordinated files. - If you're tired of hunting through mountains of paper, try this method. Group all of your important paperwork together (finances, medical, and personal) then assign each group a color. Use brightly colored files with labels to keep all of your important papers organized.[8]
- For example, finances could be yellow, medical could be red, and personal could be blue.
- You can find colored files at most office supply stores.
[Edit]Get creative by organizing your craft supplies by color. - Never hunt through cluttered bins or drawers again. Use a peg board to hang up tapes and large items by color, then group smaller items in plastic bins.[9]
- This is a great way to separate beads, Washi tape, buttons, and thread.
[Edit]Group hair accessories in color-coordinated containers. - Bows, ribbons, and elastics tend to get lost in the clutter. Try grouping them by color and putting them into clear plastic bins so they never get lost again.[10]
- You can put your bins inside a bathroom cabinet or drawer for easy access.
- If bins aren't your thing, try clear cookie jars for a fun, cute solution.
[Edit]Keep your cutting boards separate by using colors. - Using the same cutting board for meat and veggies can spread bacteria. Paint the edges of your cutting boards different colors so you know which one is for raw meat and which one is for fruit and vegetables.[11]
- For example, your meat cutting board could have a red stripe while your vegetable cutting board could have a green one.
- Even if you can't make a full rainbow, organizing your items by color can liven up any room.
[Edit]References |
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